Queen misses summit first time in 40 years

The key point here is that the Queen will be represented, although she is not there in person, by the Prince of Wales

Spokesman

Royal aides confirmed she would not be making the 12-hour flight to Sri Lanka in November, so Prince Charles, 64, will go instead.

Her decision was being seen as highly “significant” because she has attended every Heads Of Government meeting since 1973.

Palace officials said it followed a review of long-haul trips for the Queen, 87, and Prince Philip, who will be 93 next month. In March, she was admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis. There are also concerns that the Duke of Edinburgh is becoming too old to travel.

Palace aides said the decision was not linked to concerns over Sri Lanka’s record on human rights.

A spokesman said: “The key point here is that the Queen will be represented, although she is not there in person, by the Prince of Wales.”

Downing Street confirmed that David Cameron, 46, will be attending.

The Queen was at the last summit in Perth, Western Australia, in October 2011 and has visited all but two of the Commonwealth’s 54 countries.

She is still scheduled to carry out more than 400 engagements this year.k